Hydrogen Embrittlement of Steels: New Observations and Modeling of Micromechanisms of Fracture

Author(s)

Neeraj S. Thirumalai, Srinivasan Rajagopalan, Ju Li

On-Site Speaker (Planned)

Neeraj S. Thirumalai

Abstract Scope

Hydrogen embrittlement of steels is a long standing technological challenge, and of great relevance to the oil and gas industry. A major challenge in tackling hydrogen embrittlement relates to fully understanding the mechanism of failure. To this end the effect of hydrogen on overall plasticity and fracture in steels is probed using advanced characterization and modeling techniques. Results from crack-tip Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and high resolution fractography studies using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) will be presented. New observations of nanoscale features on fracture surfaces and the deformation microstructure associated with hydrogen embrittlement will be discussed. Results from atomistic and larger scale modeling will also be presented to provide further insights into the failure mechanisms. These findings are integrated into a mechanistic model that attempts to explain the key attributes associated with hydrogen embrittlement in steels.